Chandipur-On-Sea

By Aryasilpa Das Adhikari

The lively fish on a river and pond

Oh the monsoon! I am so fond,

Swaying myself in the river flow

On my eyes, there was twinkling glow!

With shining skin, I flipped my fins

I knew,

I was princess of no lesser means!

I am the Daughter of Sea,

Fearless, Vast, Coy and Bold

Calm, Stormy, Warm and Cold

Full of Doubt and Full of Faith

Full of life and Full of Death

All at the same time!

I am the Daughter of Sea

Played on the sea-bed without fear

Of any ambushing predator or

Who would come near?

Growing up on an open-chested sea-bed

My Sea taught me,

Who will harm and Who will not?

What to hear and whom to fear?

Under heat,

Where to put feet?

Making me ready,

For violent stormy nights

When the sea-bed will be full of

Choppy, wild wave & Tide

For me, not to be left alone,

My Sea had taught me to stand strong.

Away from Sea,

When I was at shore,

Spending time at my grandpa’s abode

Watching the busy squirrel running

Across the tank

The red-crawling crab on the sandy river-bank

I had the best time, I could ever thank!

Hey Knock! Knock!

Sumangali, Calls me my mother-in-law

Worried with my perhaps only flaw!

Hiding from her dotting son

Stealthily, she slides in her wish to become grandmom.

We heard it – Loud & Clear!

We had deliberated, cried, and much fought

Worried and anxious, I thought,

My sea knew, of the impending danger

Do I know – whom to believe and who is stranger?

Home, school, road or work

Unaware of who will when grope?

Somewhere, someone is always

Lurking to attack

Rape, abuse, abduct, murder and hack?

Is the world safe enough?

May be too tough,

For my little dough to shape up and grow.

My Sea-bed was different,

Alas! It is not the same anymore.

By Aryasilpa Das Adhikari